DxOMark review for the Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1

The Panasonic DMC GH1 replaces its predecessor, the Panasonic DMC G1. Both are 12 megapixel four-thirds sensors with micro-four-thirds mounts, although the GH1’s is more video-oriented.

At first glance, we would expect both cameras to have similar (if not identical) sensors. Actually, looking at the GH1 manufacturer’s specifications, this is definitely not the case, since the GH1 contains a slightly wider sensor capable of keeping the same diagonal size for different aspect ratios such as 4/3, 3/2, and 16/9. The sensor is natively 14 megapixels, but at most only 12 megapixels can be output in 4/3 aspect ratio (fewer with other aspect ratios), so we chose to evaluate its performance in 4/3 aspect ratio.

DxOMark Sensor analysis clearly shows that the new GH1 sensor is different and actually performance has increased dramatically: a 63.6 DxOMark Sensor score for the GH1, versus 53 for the G1, about a 2/3-stop gain (a 1-stop gain is equivalent to 15 DxOMark Sensor points).Compared to other four-thirds sensors, the Panasonic DMC GH1 is the best performer of those currently evaluated in DxOMark Sensor, especially in terms of dynamic range.

The GH1 even outperforms a hypothetical four-thirds sensor cut from a (wider) Canon EOS 7D sensor (with the same pixel size). With its 50% larger sensor surface (corresponding to 9 DxOMark Sensor points), one would expect the 7D to have outperformed the GH1 by 9 points. Instead, it achieves a DxOMark score of 64.9 — only slightly more than 1 point above the GH1’s score of 63.6.

Four-thirds performances

Except for the Olympus E410 and Olympus E510 (both released in early 2007), which have a DxOMark Sensor score of about 50, most four-thirds sensors have a DxOMark Sensor score of about 55. The GH1 outperforms them all with a DxOMark Sensor score of 63.6.

DxOMark sensor ranking

The GH1 outperforms other four-third sensors in terms of Low-Light ISO (772 for the GH1 vs 571 for the Olympus E3, the second-best performer) and Dynamic Range (11.6 for the GH1 vs 10.8 for the Panasonic DMC L10, second-best performer).

Low-Light ISO DxOMark sensor ranking

Dynamic range DxOMark sensor ranking

Comparison with a similar pixel pitch sensor: Canon EOS 7D

The Canon EOS 7D uses pixels of 4.29 µm vs 4.31 µm for both the GH1 and G1. To compare the pixel performance (and not the whole sensor), we can compare the performances in “screen” mode.

SNR 18%

Obviously the Canon 7D’s performance is similar to the G1’s at ISO settings up to 800, and similar to the GH1’s at ISO settings from 3200. The GH1 outperforms the 7D for ISO settings up to 800.

SNR 18% comparison (screen mode)

Dynamic Range

The 7D and GH1 have similar performances, and both outperform the G1 by more than 1 stop.

Dynamic range comparison (screen mode)

Color sensitivity

The GH1 outperforms both the G1 and 7D at ISO settings up to 800; over ISO 800, GH1 and 7D performances are similar.

Color sensitivity comparison (screen mode)

Disclaimer:This dxomark review evaluates only the selected camera’s RAW sensor performance metrics (i.e., Color Depth, Dynamic Range, and Low-Light ISO), and should not be construed as a review of the camera’s overall performance, as it does not address such other important criteria as image signal processing, mechanical robustness, ease of use, flexibility, optics, value for money, etc. While RAW sensor performance is critically important, it is not the only factor that should be taken into consideration when choosing a digital camera.

Further readings for the DxOMark review for the Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.